Get arrested for a cause.

I have been arrested twice for causes, once during a sit-in on Hollywood and Vine the first protest after the war started in Iraq, and again later trying to help day laborers. When you shed your fear of the authorities and do what you think is right you feel a degree of liberation you hadn’t known before. I’ve committed many politically motivated crimes and the courage I found to risk myself for what I think is right is due to the fact that I took those first few stances before and have experienced jail before.

there are many ways to create (or try to create) change; taking part in NONviolent direct action leading to arrest is one way.

I was TOO drunk in public when I was a under age of drinking. And that’s a crime?! Well well…

When you’re arrested with Clergy and a Nobel Peace Prize winner you can rest assured sure it’s for a good cause.

just to make a point. There are some really stupid, ridiculous and just… wrong laws so that it would be worth it. This far I’ve only been questioned by the police for disturbing a racist party meeting, though.

But thinking about it I could see myself getting arrested for something really silly too. Even better on a first date. Talk about making a lasting impression! :)

I’ve been arrested and charged a few times for taking non-violent direct action. I think that its quite an empowering experience in a weird way. OK, so you lose your liberty for a bit, but you’re taking the power away from the politicians and taking responsibility directly for the kind of world you want to live in. Saying “no, I’m not prepared to stand by passively and let you do this and threats of violence, fines and prison are less important to me than seeing the situation changed”. Plus, when I’ve got out there was usually lots of really cool people there to give me a cheer (and chocolate ;-) ). Arrest is just a bit of an occupational hazard for people who care passionatly about the world and are prepared to take action to change it.

I’ve not found having a criminal record to be much of a problem on the job front – I work for a campaigning organisation, and, whilst they can’t do or condone anything illegal, they understand and respect my motivations. I don’t think I’d be happy working for an employer who couldn’t respect me wanting to change the world for the better.

Send me to jail and call me your bitch. If this ever happens (I am such a goodie two shoes) I will make it sooo worth it. If you’ve ever seen Iron Jawwed Angels you know exactly what I mean.

Well, not if you want a life. I got arrested in 2003 protesting the logging of Victorias Old growth Forrestations. When I look back now I’m lucky I wasnt charged with anything, I would have a police record, there goes my Scout Leading, many career prospects etc.

If you are passionate enough about a cause that you are willing to be arrested, perhaps try and stay this side of prison, where you can do your cause ALOT more good.

Hells yeah…I need to get out there and start a riot, start a protest. But, lately, all I protest is getting thrown out of the pub (how’s that for a Crocodile Dundee reference?). So, basically, I need a right-winger to come to Vermont so I can get nuts. Better start scanning the newspapers.

I miss those days…but one involved disrupting the annual meeting of the local power utility that wanted to store nuclear waste at their facility near the Mississippi river. Got maced and roughed up a little for our efforts…actually went to the jail cell for that one!

Another was protesting landmines and one of the leading manufacturers of them in Minnesota. The international Campaign to End the use of Landmines ended up winning a Nobel Peace Prize for that one, so I like to think I had a small part in that.

Overall, I would strongly urge everyone to stand up for what they believe in. After all, if you don’t….who will?